Aiken Technical College Receives $100,000 and Joins 41 Other Schools Across the US As All Within My Hands’ Metallica Scholars Initiative Expands in Year Five

“The Metallica Scholars Initiative is so important to us because we are seeing results. Five years in, with the help of community colleges across the country, we are helping people fill these essential jobs which require skills and training. We are so proud and grateful that we can facilitate this program.” - Lars Ulrich, Metallica

August 1, 2023 [Graniteville, SC] — Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Aiken Technical College (Aiken Tech) was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000 to transform the futures of students in the community.

The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The workforce initiative marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula. MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states, and by the end of this year, it will have helped over 6,000 students pursuing careers in the trades. To date, Metallica and AWMH have invested over $6MM in the American workforce.

Reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level, each new school brings incredible opportunities to a thriving and growing community.

“The Metallica Scholars Initiative is a strong and cooperative assemblage of the nation’s best community colleges, creating a supportive climate for participants to communicate directly and share best practices. As a result, our Metallica Scholars leave the program well-trained and confident. Ultimately, the impact is felt locally and nationally as Metallica Scholars enter the workforce and fill in-demand technical positions.” – Peter Delgrosso, AWMH Executive Director

“We are happy to continue to partner with Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation to support the vital career and technical education work of the nation’s community colleges,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO.  “Colleges across the country provide pathways to well-paying jobs through programs, services and training that lead to in-demand skills, certificates and degrees for students.  These programs are responsive to the needs of local businesses and provide a pipeline of qualified workers to local industry. Partners like Metallica that continue to provide support for community colleges help us to showcase the importance of investing in the transformative power of community college education.”

Aiken Tech is the first South Carolina college selected to participate in MSI.

“It is an honor to be among the 11 colleges selected for this prestigious initiative. The goals of the Metallica Scholars Initiative align perfectly with our mission to provide educational and workforce development opportunities,” said Aiken Tech President Forest E. Mahan, Ph.D. “Through MSI, our college has chosen to focus on building the workforce pipeline for our cyber and computer technology industries in the region by supporting students through scholarships and development opportunities and increasing overall awareness about the growing need for highly-skilled IT personnel.”

The initiative will allow Aiken Tech to support dual enrollment students participating in its cybersecurity networking pathway, students enrolled in its academic computer technology programs, and those pursuing specialized CompTIA certifications in IT through the college’s continuing education courses.

The 11 schools joining MSI this year include:

• Aiken Technical College - Aiken, South Carolina
• Central Wyoming College – Riverton, Wyoming
• Columbia State Community College – Columbia, Tennessee
• Front Range Community College – Westminster, Colorado
• Itawamba Community College – Fulton, Mississippi
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College - Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Oxnard College (Ventura County Community College District) – Oxnard, California
• South Central College - North Mankato, Minnesota
• South Louisiana Community College – Lafayette, Louisiana
• Texas State Technical College – Waco, Texas
• Western Dakota Technical College - Rapid City, South Dakota

These newly added colleges are joining a roster of veteran schools invited to continue in the program. Each year, the returning colleges play an integral part in helping guide the success of the new schools.

The 31 returning schools include:

• Clark State Community College - Springfield, Ohio
• Central Community College - Grand Island, Nebraska
• Central Piedmont Community College - Charlotte, North Carolina
• Clackamas Community College - Oregon City, Oregon
• Clinton Community College - Clinton, Iowa
• College of Lake County - Grayslake, Illinois
• Columbia Gorge Community College - The Dalles, Oregon
• Community College of Baltimore County - Baltimore, Maryland
• East Central College - Union, Missouri
• Elizabethtown Community & Technical College - Elizabethtown, Kentucky
• Gateway Technical College - Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Grand Rapids Community College - Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Guilford Technical Community College - Jamestown, North Carolina
• Hudson County Community College - Jersey City, New Jersey
• Lone Star College - The Woodlands, Texas
• Middlesex Community College - Lowell, Massachusetts
• Milwaukee Area Technical College - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Perkinston, Mississippi
• Northern Virginia Community College - Annandale, Virginia
• Northwest-Shoals Community College - Muscle Shoals, Alabama
• Pima Community College - Tucson, Arizona
• Polk State College - Winter Haven, Florida
• Rockland Community College - Suffern, New York
• Salt Lake Community College - Salt Lake City, Utah
• San Juan College – Farmington, New Mexico
• Spokane Community College - Spokane, Washington
• Valencia College - Orlando, Florida
• Victor Valley College - Victorville, California
• West Virginia University Parkersburg - Parkersburg, Wes Virginia
• Westchester Community College - Valhalla, New York
• WSU-Tech - Wichita, Kansas

What began with ten colleges and mostly manufacturing programs has developed into a diverse offering of workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers in fields and positions including:

Agriculture
Automation and Robotics
Automotive Technology
Aviation, Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
Carpentry
Computerized Manufacturing (CNC)
Construction Technology
Criminal Justice
Culinary Arts
Cybersecurity
Diesel Technology
Dental Hygiene
Electrical Engineering
EMT
Fire Technology
Healthcare
Heating & Ventilation (HVAC)
Heavy Equipment Operator
Hospitality
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Lineworker
Manufacturing & Machining
Mechanical Design
Mechatronics Engineering
Process Technology
Trucking (CDL)
Welding
Wind Energy

ABOUT AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE (AIKEN TECH)

Aiken Technical College is a two-year comprehensive college located in Graniteville, South Carolina. Founded in 1972, the college provides educational and workforce development opportunities through academic programs, continuing education, and corporate training services. Visit www.atc.edu for more information.

ABOUT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES (AACC)

As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges leads, advocates, and advances the nation’s community colleges.  Uniquely American, community colleges deliver educational and economic opportunities for more than 10 million diverse students annually. Dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, DC, AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support to increase economic mobility for all.

ABOUT ALL WITHIN MY HANDS (AWMH)

All Within My Hands was established in 2017 by Metallica to invest in the people and places that have supported the band. It also allows Metallica’s fans to engage in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Foundation is dedicated to creating sustainable communities through workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. All expenses of the Foundation are covered by the band, the board, and a few special friends so that 100% of donations go to the organizations it supports. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.